Month: December 2023

 

    The #2  Story for 2023 leaves us in Reeds Spring.   Never, in the history of Reeds Spring football have we seen a combination like Blandy Burrell to James Dowdy.  

   The Seven to Thirteen Connection, as I dubbed them, their Sophomore year, connected more times, for more yards, and more touchdowns, than any dual in Wolves History.  They leave Reeds Spring with nearly every passing and receiving record imaginable.  The highlights they provided are numerous, including what might be the most memorable play in school history.

   Our number three story of 2023 takes us to Reeds Spring.  After 23 years of great success, Scott Walker stepped down from leading the Reeds Spring Softball program.

     The Softball program at Reeds Spring has had as much, if not more, long term success of any sport at the school.  That, in large part, is because of Scott Walker.  He won more than 300 games.   He helped develop young ladies that had incredible success on and off the field.  He coached numerous All-Staters, Young ladies that went on to play at the College level at all different levels, including the highest levels of NCAA Division 1.  He helped develop ladies that went on to be All-Americans  And, most important of all, he helped with the bringing up of young women that are not only incredible women in our community today, they are leaders in our community today.

   The College of the Ozarks Women’s Basketball team claimed the 2022-2023 National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship

   Coach Becky Mullis’s squad defeated Oakland City University 86-63 in the title game.  Jordan Wersinger was named the Tournament Most-Outstanding Player and Kayley Frank was named 1st team All-American

 

 

For the number 5 story of the year we stay in Hollister.  

   After leading the Tigers Basketball program for seven years, Pete Leonard resigned from the position to move to Harrison.    Leonard averaged 20 wins in his last three seasons, including two District Runner Up finishes.

  Before his coaching days, Leonard starred at Ava High School and College of the Ozarks.

   

The number six story takes us to Hollister.  2023 saw the end of the high school career of one the of most accomplished athletes in Hollister High School History.  

   Whether it was basketball of golf, Garrett Snyder knew how to put the ball in the hole.  His senior campaign on the hardwood saw him become the schools all-time leading scorer passing the 1500 point mark along the way.  He was named All-State for his accomplishments.

   When time on the hardwood was done, he made his way to the links.  And, once again was one of the best in Southwest Missouri.  He was a multi-time state qualifier.  

  Luckily he has not gone far as he is currently playing basketball for Steve Shepherd at College of the Ozarks.

 

   It was another great year for Forsyth Baseball.  The Panthers won 20 games on the season that saw them win their District Tournament and advance to the State Playoffs.

   The Panthers were exceptionally good in May.   Forsyth won their first  eight games of the month, not losing until they fell to Licking in the State Quarterfinals.   That Licking team would go on the win the State Title.

     My number eight story takes us to College of the Ozarks.  

  The start of this school year saw the Cats and Lady Cats return to the NAIA and the Lady Cat Volleyball team took advantage of the opportunity and qualified for the National Championships.  

  It was also a year that saw coach Stacy Muckenthaler pick up win #200.  Thats a huge milestone for the coach, in her tenth year leading the program.

 

   My #9 Story takes us to Reeds Spring Football.  Chris Daniels had a night for the ages when the Wolves visited Marshfield.  

  The senior running back had eclipsed 200 yards by the half and had the single game school rushing record well within his sights.  By the time the game came to an end he had obliterated the old mark.  His line for the night:  34 carries 373 yards and 3TDs and to be honest, he could have had more…  Best of all the Wolves got a 63-44 win on the night.

  In all the offense garnered 465 yards on the ground scoring 5 TDs, they threw for another 202 yards and 4 more scores.  667 yards of total offense.

   Time again for my top ten local sports stories of 2023…  

 For #10, we go to Branson.   What a fall it has been for Dane Efird.  The junior multi-sport star displayed his golden leg on both the football field and the soccer pitch.  

On the football field he drilled a 51-yard Field Goal against State Runner Up Republic and he hit the overtime field goal vs Glendale that sent the Pirates to the District Semifinals.  For his success he was named All-Conference, All Distict, All-Area, All- Ozarks, and first team All-State.  

  As if that was not enough, he is one of the leaders of the Branson Soccer team as well.  Yes, the sports take place simultaneously.  But, that does not seem to bother the very busy, Efird.

  On the pitch he was just as dominate.  Earning All-Conference, All-Region, and All-District recognition

    Its National Signing period, the time that high school athletes that are going to compete at the next level, put pen to paper and pledge themselves to a school of higher learning.  For a Reeds Spring Volleyballer that means heading to Ft Scott, Kansas.

    Yesterday afternoon, Hannah Rogers signed a National Letter of Intent to take her volleyball talents to Ft Scott Community College.  Surrounded by family and friends, the Lady Wolves all-time assists leader made it official.  She helped lead a Lady Wolf team that won 13 matches this past season including a victory in the opening round of District Play.

HannahRogersSign  (click on link to hear interview with Rogers)

  FSCC is part of the NJCAA and competes in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.